Post Christmas sales are going on now and this is the best time to grab up some deals for next year’s Christmas cards, ribbons, bows and seasonal items.

Even if you decide that you are only going to send a few cards, you can get Christmas cards at half price at most places. Even the dollar store has half price Christmas items.

To really get some significant savings out of wrapping paper, search for some that can be used for gifts throughout the year or for seasonal birthdays. Gold paper looks nice at any time of the year. Know for certain that you will make cookies or need some Christmas-y containers? Then search for some at the end of the season.

So far in the sales after Christmas I have my cards for next year, some reusable picks and decorations to spruce up my Christmas wreath. All of these were at 70% off the regular price.

Gifts can be purchased ahead of time such as ornaments or craft items that will be used to make gifts for next year. Shopping now helped me save a lot of money and get some really great things for less than regular price.

I can’t remember when I last bought Christmas cards the year I sent them out. Although buying them at 70% off this year was like buying two boxes for the price of one. 

Christmas towels and home decorations are also included in most of the sales, you if you don’t have a Christmas tablecloth or winter decorations you could find something to help decorate your home. Not all Christmas decorations say Merry Christmas, some just show winter scenes so if you decide that you want to have some winter themed placemats or towels to use in your home, then buy those. What about solid colored table cloths, Some people do like to use red, white or ivory cloths on their tables at other times of the year. Why pay full price when you can get them on sale?

Post Christmas sales can help you keep cash in your pocket.

When spending for Christmas, make sure that you include the price of gift wrap, decorations and other small things that will definitely add up and break your budget.

If you have gift wrap from last year, use it. Before you buy any more, assess what you already have. Using gift bags instead this year? Take stock of how many you really need before making any new purchases.

Do you need to buy a box? Before the recession stores weren’t giving away boxes as much, so that means you may have to make a trip to the dollar or craft store to buy some boxes if you aren’t using other containers for your wrapping. If you are shopping at a store that does give away boxes ask for them. Especially if you have several gifts that are going to the same person in one box, you will definitely need a box at some time.

Don’t forget to compare prices. 

A basket or reusable bag may cost more but if your recipient can use it hundreds of times or use it as a household container this is a better deal than just buying a bag or using wrap that will be tossed out. Either way, you need to plan for this expense or you will have to wrap gifts in newspaper, or give them naked (sans wrapping).

It’s easy to get caught up the in the cute seasonal wrapping that is offered at the higher priced card/stationer shops. Go to the dollar store or craft store when it is on sale and buy wrapping paper. (Make sure that when gifts are being unwrapped, you put them in a bag for recycling.)

Rather than just giving someone a gift bag that they will discard,
give them a reusable tote bag or shopping bag
that can be used over and over again.

Smaller tote bags are available from craft stores. If you want to do something a little different just get a bag from your local grocer and put the person’s gifts in them. Most of the bags are green anyway. Then if you want, you can just add a ribbon and a tag.

This is useful and practical because most gift bags cost about $1-$5. Using a reusable bag as gift wrap will give you an opportunity to give someone an additional part of a gift that is useful. Also, it is possible to encourage reuse. In larger cities I am sure that you have seen people carrying the heavier shopping bags from boutiques and other stores. It may be because of the fashion but after a while even those bags break. Help your loved ones out by giving them a nicer bag that they can use for many purposes. Chico and Envirosax have some nice bags if you don’t want to get the ones from the grocery store.

If you choose the really cheap route and if you have the inclination, you could also go to the thrift store or a dollar plus store and buy some misprinted bags. The bags may be cheap, but again like advertising for a grocery store, you are giving away free advertising. Some of the reusable shopping bags available at stores do not have the store’s name or logo on them.

It’s your choice but I would rather spend a few dollars more on a present by giving them something useful, not just for a bag or other wrapping that will end up in the garbage a few minutes later.

I was watching Martha Stewart today and saw that she was making something easy that could be given to some people on your Christmas list. She made infused vodka and gave a recipe for a Cosmopolitan made with the vodka. 

Since some people aren’t really crafty or say they aren’t there are things that you can make that may or may not take a lot of time to make or require a lot of specialized skill. I am crafty so when I see segments about making things for people on your gift list, my interest is piqued. Plus, I start thinking about how to improve the gift.

Making your own gifts this year and thoughtfulness in gift giving is really making a difference because of the economy. CNN even had an iReport segment showing people were going to have a homemade Christmas this year. There is nothing wrong with that, but I like Martha Stewart’s idea about making infused Vodka because I know quite a few people who would like that and I would even find a shaker to pair it with and include a recipe. If you don’t know anyone who drinks you could try one of Martha’s other ideas – creating a personalized totebag with a photo transfer iron on. If you are a crafty person, you may feel more comfortable making gifts. Even if you are a creative person, remember not every attempt will work out. I have no problem scrapping something that didn’t quite work out. This is something that will make the inexperienced crafter feel better about something not turning out quite the way they wanted.

Even if you decide to make gifts this doesn’t mean that you will make something that is cheap. You could probably go to the dollar store and get a few things but buying materials still costs money, although the money that you spend for a project could possibly give your enough ingredients or materials for several gifts. I know if I go to the store and buy a wool scarf it would cost me at least $25 but if I make a scarf I could save at least half of that and even use a better quality yarn.

There is hope for people who want to save money this Christmas and give thoughtful gifts. Search around and you will find something for all skill levels. I even saw a few ideas that I hadn’t tried that I could definitely make and I know would be appreciated. [Yes, I know quite a few vodka drinkers!]

If living the frugal life is getting you down. Think of some ways that you can splurge within reason. Learn to cook one of your favorite meals. The ingredients will cost more than a regular meal but if you prepare it yourself at home you will spend less than if you were splurging on a fine meal in a restaurant.

Another way to do this would be to maybe treat yourself to one special item at the grocery store once a month and make a night of it.

Food not your thing… then buy (or rent a dvd), make some popcorn and enjoy yourself. Saving money is a way of life but you should not let saving money rule your life. Money is a tool. Many people forget that and just like when you go to the hardware store you may see some tools that cost more money or require more use to get the best results. Just because you have a little money doesn’t mean that you can not enjoy nice things once in a while.

If you are a crafter and want to buy a special sewing machine, drill or whatever… then plan for it. If you use the item often enough and you buy a quality item then you will not have to worry about replacing the item in a few months because you bought a cheaper or less well crafted item.

All things in moderation… that includes spending. A splurge can be included in your spending plan, if you do not work so close to your earning threshold. Conversely, saving all of your money or investing all of your money is just as bad because then you do not have anything to live on.

A former co-worker of my mother’s invested a lot of her take home salary in the stock market each month and kept moving things and trading them, so much so that she had nothing to live on. Investing and saving is admirable but it is also important to be able to give your investments time to grow. Adding to your investments regularly helps but not selling and trading at the drop of a hat.

You will not get rich quick by living a frugal lifestyle. But living a frugal lifestyle will allow you to try and correct some past financial mistakes by paying off creditors or allowing you to save for a larger purchase so you won’t have to go into debt. Just like a diet or new eating plan… if you only save all the time then you will become resentful of money. When you splurge occasionally then you will appreciate your efforts in moderation.